In vitro antioxidant activities, free radical scavenging capacity, and tyrosinase inhibitory of flavonoid compounds and ferulic acid from Spiranthes sinensis (Pers.) Ames.

In this study, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and other methods of extracting flavonoid compounds and ferulic acid (FA) from S. sinensis were investigated. Five different extraction methods, including water extraction (W), water extraction using UAE (W+U), 75% ethanol extraction (E), 75% ethanol extraction using UAE (E+U), and supercritical CO2 extraction (SFE) were applied in the extraction of bioactive compounds (flavonoids and ferulic acid) in order to compare their efficiency.

Targeting polymeric fluorescent nanodiamond-gold/silver multi-functional nanoparticles as a light-transforming hyperthermia reagent for cancer cells.

This work demonstrates a simple route for synthesizing multi-functional fluorescent nanodiamond-gold/silver nanoparticles. The fluorescent nanodiamond is formed by the surface passivation of poly(ethylene glycol) bis(3-aminopropyl) terminated. Urchin-like gold/silver nanoparticles can be obtained via one-pot synthesis, and combined with each other via further thiolation of nanodiamond.

Nano-bio effects: interaction of nanomaterials with cells.

With the advancements in nanotechnology, studies on the synthesis, modification, application, and toxicology evaluation of nanomaterials are gaining increased attention. In particular, the applications of nanomaterials in biological systems are attracting considerable interest because of their unique, tunable, and versatile physicochemical properties. Artificially engineered nanomaterials can be well controlled for appropriate usage, and the tuned physicochemical properties directly influence the interactions between nanomaterials and cells.

Plasmonic ZnO/Ag embedded structures as collecting layers for photogenerating electrons in solar hydrogen generation photoelectrodes.

A new fabrication strategy in which Ag plasmonics are embedded in the interface between ZnO nanorods and a conducting substrate is experimentally demonstrated using a femtosecond-laser (fs-laser)-induced plasmonic ZnO/Ag photoelectrodes. This fs-laser fabrication technique can be applied to generate patternable plasmonic nanostructures for improving their effectiveness in hydrogen generation. Plasmonic ZnO/Ag nanostructure photoelectrodes show an increase in the photocurrent of a ZnO nanorod photoelectrodes by higher than 85% at 0.

Plasmon inducing effects for enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting: X-ray absorption approach to electronic structures.

Artificial photosynthesis using semiconductors has been investigated for more than three decades for the purpose of transferring solar energy into chemical fuels. Numerous studies have revealed that the introduction of plasmonic materials into photochemical reaction can substantially enhance the photo response to the solar splitting of water. Until recently, few systematic studies have provided clear evidence concerning how plasmon excitation and which factor dominates the solar splitting of water in photovoltaic devices.

Nickel complexes incorporating an amido phosphine chelate with a pendant amine arm: synthesis, structure, and catalytic Kumada coupling.

A series of organonickel(II) complexes incorporating an amido phosphine ligand tethered with an amino pendant have been prepared and characterized. Deprotonation of N-(dimethylaminoethyl)-2-diphenylphosphinoaniline (H[PNN]) with one equivalent of n-BuLi in ethereal or hydrocarbon solutions at -35 °C generates cleanly dimeric {Li[PNN]}(2) as yellow crystals. The reaction of NiCl(2)(DME) with {Li[PNN]}(2) in THF at -35 °C affords green crystalline [PNN]NiCl.

Aluminium complexes of bidentate N,O- and N,N-ligands derived from oxidative functionalization of amido phosphines: synthesis, structure and reactivity.

A series of amido phosphinoxide and amido phosphinimine ligands that are electronic variations of monoanionic N,O- and N,N-ketiminates have been prepared and employed to examine the coordination chemistry of aluminium. Oxidation of the previously established N-(2-diphenylphosphinophenyl)-2,6-dialkylaniline in the presence of H(2)O(2) or organic azides RN(3) (R = 2,6-C(6)H(3)(i)Pr(2), SiMe(3)) led to phosphinoxides (H[NO] 1a-b) and phosphinimines (H[NN] 1c-d), respectively. Alkane elimination reactions of these protio-ligand precursors with trialkylaluminium in toluene or pentane solutions afforded cleanly the corresponding organoaluminium complexes, including dimethyl 2a-d, diethyl 3a-d and diisobutyl derivatives 4a-b and 4d.

Biphenolate phosphine complexes of tantalum.

The preparation and structural characterization of tantalum complexes supported by 2,2'-phenylphosphino-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenolate) ([OPO](2-)) are described. The reaction of Li(2)[OPO] with TaCl(5), regardless of the molar ratio employed, in diethyl ether at -35 degrees C led to high-yield isolation of yellow crystalline [OPO](2)TaCl. Alkylation of [OPO](2)TaCl with MeMgBr or EtMgCl in diethyl ether at -35 degrees C generated the corresponding alkyl complexes [OPO](2)TaR (R = Me, Et).